Countdown to Playoffs - 2019 edition

[moonslav59]

After the All-Star break we had a long stretch of games with no days off. It did make sense to build in some rest days.

 

And there really haven't been that many rest days. Whenever one of our studs sits one game people freak out about it.

 

There was 5 days off for the break and several before it. We were in urgent mode then. A day off for a couple guys, maybe, but we were giving more than I liked.

 

Again, I'm not saying I know more than Cora, I'm just giving my opinion.

 

Cora is my man.

[Bellhorn04]

There was 5 days off for the break and several before it. We were in urgent mode then. A day off for a couple guys, maybe, but we were giving more than I liked.

 

I'm looking through the box scores since the ASB and I can't see that many rest days. I know that we had the game where Devers and Beni sat, followed by the game that Betts didn't start.

 

Other than that I don't know what rest days we're talking about.

 

Before today we had played 125 games.

 

Betts 124 games played

Devers 122

Bogaerts 121

Edited August 18, 2019 by Bellhorn04

[Key2Delock]

As Jim Mora once said, “

?”

 

Miracles have happened. The Red Sox have been on both the right end and wrong end of those miracles during their history, but making the playoffs this season won’t be easy, especially if Sale and Price are unable to return and the pitching rotation between now and the end of the season will be Rodriguez, Porcello and three mix-and-match-bullpen outings.

 

Despite the recent, hottest-in-the-Majors, five-game winning streak, the Red Sox, one of only seven American League teams with a winning record, currently are six-and-a-half games out of playoff contention, chasing Tampa Bay and Oakland for the second wild-card spot. (There are ten National League teams closer to playoff contention than the Red Sox, and Cincinnati and San Diego are seven games out.)

 

In September, Oakland has five games scheduled against teams that currently have winning records. Tampa Bay has nine, including four against the Red Sox. The Red Sox have 16 games scheduled against teams that currently have winning records, including the four against Tampa Bay, and those 16 games will be played during the first 20 games of the month.

[Slasher9]

Sox have won 4 in a row and gained only one game in the L column on a PO spot. Now you’re gonna have to do it without Sale down 7 in the L column

 

Thanks for stopping by and....not trolling???

[moonslav59]

I'm looking through the box scores since the ASB and I can't see that many rest days. I know that we had the game where Devers and Beni sat, followed by the game that Betts didn't start.

 

Other than that I don't know what rest days we're talking about.

 

Before today we had played 125 games.

 

Betts 124 games played

Devers 122

Bogaerts 121

 

Games starterd:

 

121 Betts

120 Bogey

117 Devers

108 Beni

 

(BR, I don't think it counts today's game.)

 

I remember more days off, but not just these three. I know others had some injury issues.

[illinoisredsox]

Games starterd:

 

121 Betts

120 Bogey

117 Devers

108 Beni

 

(BR, I don't think it counts today's game.)

 

I remember more days off, but not just these three. I know others had some injury issues.

 

Betts did not play on May 5 and June 14. He did not start games on April 7 or August 11, though he came in late in the game. So basically, he’s not starting 1 game a month.

 

Bogaerts did not play on April 3, May 1, May 26, July 6 and August 6. He’s had no games where he came in late. Again, about once a month.

 

Devers did not play on May 24, June 9, June 23 and August 10. He did not start April 4, April 23 (Game 1), June 21 and June 22. He came out after 5 innings on June 19 and the Sox had an off day on June 20, so the June 19-23 games are when he had his hamstring issue. He also wasn’t exactly crushing it in April, so a couple of those early ones may have been matchups.

 

Beni has sat out a few games vs. southpaws and they kept him out of the lineup several times around the All-Star break when he was in a total funk at the plate. It worked.

 

Bottom line is “rest” days have about once a month. Some of the other games off were for matchups and injuries. It’s not like they are getting one day off a week.

 

And if you look back at the “old” days, when you think guys never had a day off, you’ll find very few players who even played 162 games, much less started that many. Most were in the 150s played, and less than that started. And yes, I am aware there are exceptions.

[Slasher9]

36 games to go.

 

ALE:

NYY

TB 9.5

BOS 16

 

WC:

CLE +1

TB -

OAK 1.5

BOS 6.5

 

just keep winning. the GB will take care of themselves....

#20inarow

[Bellhorn04]

Betts did not play on May 5 and June 14. He did not start games on April 7 or August 11, though he came in late in the game. So basically, he’s not starting 1 game a month.

 

Bogaerts did not play on April 3, May 1, May 26, July 6 and August 6. He’s had no games where he came in late. Again, about once a month.

 

Devers did not play on May 24, June 9, June 23 and August 10. He did not start April 4, April 23 (Game 1), June 21 and June 22. He came out after 5 innings on June 19 and the Sox had an off day on June 20, so the June 19-23 games are when he had his hamstring issue. He also wasn’t exactly crushing it in April, so a couple of those early ones may have been matchups.

 

Beni has sat out a few games vs. southpaws and they kept him out of the lineup several times around the All-Star break when he was in a total funk at the plate. It worked.

 

Bottom line is “rest” days have about once a month. Some of the other games off were for matchups and injuries. It’s not like they are getting one day off a week.

 

And if you look back at the “old” days, when you think guys never had a day off, you’ll find very few players who even played 162 games, much less started that many. Most were in the 150s played, and less than that started. And yes, I am aware there are exceptions.

 

Good info, thanks illinois.

[oldtimer]

Betts did not play on May 5 and June 14. He did not start games on April 7 or August 11, though he came in late in the game. So basically, he’s not starting 1 game a month.

 

Bogaerts did not play on April 3, May 1, May 26, July 6 and August 6. He’s had no games where he came in late. Again, about once a month.

 

Devers did not play on May 24, June 9, June 23 and August 10. He did not start April 4, April 23 (Game 1), June 21 and June 22. He came out after 5 innings on June 19 and the Sox had an off day on June 20, so the June 19-23 games are when he had his hamstring issue. He also wasn’t exactly crushing it in April, so a couple of those early ones may have been matchups.

 

Beni has sat out a few games vs. southpaws and they kept him out of the lineup several times around the All-Star break when he was in a total funk at the plate. It worked.

 

Bottom line is “rest” days have about once a month. Some of the other games off were for matchups and injuries. It’s not like they are getting one day off a week.

 

And if you look back at the “old” days, when you think guys never had a day off, you’ll find very few players who even played 162 games, much less started that many. Most were in the 150s played, and less than that started. And yes, I am aware there are exceptions.

 

Betts was held out and Owings led off in a game the Sox had to win. Owings went o for 5 with 3 strikeouts. I believe Betts was stuck in late, but too late. To me it was an example of a rest policy gone bonkers.

[Slasher9]

Betts was held out and Owings led off in a game the Sox had to win. Owings went o for 5 with 3 strikeouts. I believe Betts was stuck in late, but too late. To me it was an example of a rest policy gone bonkers.

 

that game definitely stands out to me as well.

[Bellhorn04]

Betts was held out and Owings led off in a game the Sox had to win. Owings went o for 5 with 3 strikeouts. I believe Betts was stuck in late, but too late. To me it was an example of a rest policy gone bonkers.

 

'A game we had to win.'

 

Are there really any games that don't matter, other than the ones after you've clinched a specific playoff spot, or been eliminated?

 

No, there aren't.

[Bellhorn04]

Let's be honest, old schoolers don't think there should be ANY rest days for key players until you've clinched or been eliminated.

[notin]

'A game we had to win.'

 

Are there really any games that don't matter, other than the ones after you've clinched a specific playoff spot, or been eliminated?

 

No, there aren't.

 

And it was against the Angels. I can see the argument that games against Tampa, Cleveland and Oakland are more critical games to win. But against the teams behind them? None are more important than the others...

[notin]

Let's be honest, old schoolers don't think there should be ANY rest days for key players until you've clinched or been eliminated.

 

Hey you never saw Cal Ripken or Lou Gehrig or Everett Scott take a “rest day,” did you?

 

That’s back when men were men!!

 

Betts is tied for the MLB lead in games played this year, and Devers is in the top ten. Bogaerts is 17th...

[moonslav59]

Betts did not play on May 5 and June 14. He did not start games on April 7 or August 11, though he came in late in the game. So basically, he’s not starting 1 game a month.

 

Bogaerts did not play on April 3, May 1, May 26, July 6 and August 6. He’s had no games where he came in late. Again, about once a month.

 

Devers did not play on May 24, June 9, June 23 and August 10. He did not start April 4, April 23 (Game 1), June 21 and June 22. He came out after 5 innings on June 19 and the Sox had an off day on June 20, so the June 19-23 games are when he had his hamstring issue. He also wasn’t exactly crushing it in April, so a couple of those early ones may have been matchups.

 

Beni has sat out a few games vs. southpaws and they kept him out of the lineup several times around the All-Star break when he was in a total funk at the plate. It worked.

 

Bottom line is “rest” days have about once a month. Some of the other games off were for matchups and injuries. It’s not like they are getting one day off a week.

 

And if you look back at the “old” days, when you think guys never had a day off, you’ll find very few players who even played 162 games, much less started that many. Most were in the 150s played, and less than that started. And yes, I am aware there are exceptions.

 

I have always been okay with a rest day here or there, especially if a guy looks sluggish, but I think we have rested guys, too much.

 

It's not just the big 3-5 guys.

 

I would not have rested Bogey on July 6th. We had just had 3 days off around the London series (Yes, I know about travel drag.) and were 2 days away from the 5 day all star break (Yes, I know Bogey had to go.).

 

This is not a burning issue for me. The fact that I still think Cora is our best manager ever, shows how little this matters, to me. It's just something I think went a little too far.

 

Now, that we're all but out of it, the rest is apparently being stopped.

[Bellhorn04]

I have always been okay with a rest day here or there, especially if a guy looks sluggish, but I think we have rested guys, too much.

 

It's not just the big 3-5 guys.

 

I would not have rested Bogey on July 6th. We had just had 3 days off around the London series (Yes, I know about travel drag.) and were 2 days away from the 5 day all star break (Yes, I know Bogey had to go.).

 

This is not a burning issue for me. The fact that I still think Cora is our best manager ever, shows how little this matters, to me. It's just something I think went a little too far.

 

Now, that we're all but out of it, the rest is apparently being stopped.

 

The problem was that we had a crazy stretch of games after the All Star Break with no days off. The rest they got around the London series and All Star Break sort of wears off eventually...

[notin]

I have always been okay with a rest day here or there, especially if a guy looks sluggish, but I think we have rested guys, too much.

 

It's not just the big 3-5 guys.

 

I would not have rested Bogey on July 6th. We had just had 3 days off around the London series (Yes, I know about travel drag.) and were 2 days away from the 5 day all star break (Yes, I know Bogey had to go.).

 

This is not a burning issue for me. The fact that I still think Cora is our best manager ever, shows how little this matters, to me. It's just something I think went a little too far.

 

Now, that we're all but out of it, the rest is apparently being stopped.

 

I think this “rest day” is so overblown. The only teams with 3 players who have more games played this year than the Sox have gotten from Betts, Bogaerts and Devers are the Braves (Acuna, Freeman, Albies) and the Phillies (Harper, Hoskins, Hernandez).

 

Theres actually a better argument that Cora isn’t resting his key players enough...

[Bellhorn04]

I think this “rest day” is so overblown. The only teams with 3 players who have more games played this year than the Sox have gotten from Betts, Bogaerts and Devers are the Braves (Acuna, Freeman, Albies) and the Phillies (Harper, Hoskins, Hernandez).

 

Theres actually a better argument that Cora isn’t resting his key players enough...

 

There ya go!

[Slasher9]

I think this “rest day” is so overblown. The only teams with 3 players who have more games played this year than the Sox have gotten from Betts, Bogaerts and Devers are the Braves (Acuna, Freeman, Albies) and the Phillies (Harper, Hoskins, Hernandez).

 

Theres actually a better argument that Cora isn’t resting his key players enough...

 

my problem with the "rest days" is how they are set in stone. if Beni goes 3-4 lets skip the "rest" day and ride that streak. give him the day off after an o-fer.

[notin]

my problem with the "rest days" is how they are set in stone. if Beni goes 3-4 lets skip the "rest" day and ride that streak. give him the day off after an o-fer.

 

Has that ever happened when the “rest day” wasn’t based on a matchup with a tough lefty?

[Nick]

36 games to go.

 

ALE:

NYY

TB 9.5

BOS 16

 

WC:

CLE +1

TB -

OAK 1.5

BOS 6.5

 

just keep winning. the GB will take care of themselves....

#20inarow

 

It really hurt that Tampa won 1-0 in 10 innings on Saturday and they came from behind 4-1 yesterday. Tigers were up 4-1 after 7th, then 4-3 in the 9th, SS made an error on 1st batter to open the floodgate in the 9th.

Edited August 19, 2019 by Nick

[Slasher9]

Has that ever happened when the “rest day” wasn’t based on a matchup with a tough lefty?

 

not sure. i was only using beni as an example anyways.

[Nick]

I'm just not sure how our starting pitching is going to hold up vs top tier teams. Our bullpen will be tested.

 

Losing 7 straight to Tampa and Yankees starting on July 30th probably sealed our fate. (that was on the heels of losing the 4th game vs the Yankees after winning the first 3).

 

It's a must that we sweep the Rays in September when we meet up for 4. I wouldn't be any money on it.

[moonslav59]

The problem was that we had a crazy stretch of games after the All Star Break with no days off. The rest they got around the London series and All Star Break sort of wears off eventually...

 

There are more days off now than for a long time.

 

I'm not buying it.

[moonslav59]

I think this “rest day” is so overblown. The only teams with 3 players who have more games played this year than the Sox have gotten from Betts, Bogaerts and Devers are the Braves (Acuna, Freeman, Albies) and the Phillies (Harper, Hoskins, Hernandez).

 

Theres actually a better argument that Cora isn’t resting his key players enough...

 

To me, unless there's an injury or obvious need to be rested, I might try to DH a player a game or two as sort of a half rest day. I'd maybe try to rest these guys these amounts of games:

 

1-2 Betts, Bogey, Devers, Beni

3-5 JD

1 every 4-5 games: Vaz

[Bellhorn04]

There are more days off now than for a long time.

 

Don't even know what this means.

[Bellhorn04]

To me, unless there's an injury or obvious need to be rested, I might try to DH a player a game or two as sort of a half rest day. I'd maybe try to rest these guys these amounts of games:

 

1-2 Betts, Bogey, Devers, Beni

3-5 JD

1 every 4-5 games: Vaz

 

Um, what's an 'obvious need to be rested'?

[moonslav59]

Um, what's an 'obvious need to be rested'?

 

Slumping, minor injury, tells manager he needs a rest, looks lethargic...

 

Maybe this never happens to these studs.

[dgalehouse]

It really hurt that Tampa won 1-0 in 10 innings on Saturday and they came from behind 4-1 yesterday. Tigers were up 4-1 after 7th, then 4-3 in the 9th, SS made an error on 1st batter to open the floodgate in the 9th.

 

The Tigers are running neck and neck with the Orioles in the race to become the biggest embarrassment to baseball .

[moonslav59]

Don't even know what this means.

 

MLB scheduled more days off this year (actually started last year) than any year in a long time.

 

MLB.com

 

Under the collective bargaining agreement reached in December 2016, several changes were made to the scheduling pattern for the 2018 season. The overall length of the season was extended to 187 days with the addition of four off-days for all teams. All teams were scheduled to play on Opening Day, which for 2018 was March 29. Sunday Night Baseball will no longer be played on the final Sunday before the All-Star Game, in order to ease travel time for those who are participating in the Home Run Derby. A single, nationally televised night game will be played the following Thursday, with all other teams returning to play on Friday.